Microbiology And Immunology - Miami

Microbiology and ImmunologyMICROBIOLOGY AND biology and Immunology is a multidisciplinary program encompassing the areas of cellular and molecular immunology, virology, microbialgenetics, and pathogenic bacteriology.The goals of the department’s graduate program are to provide each student with the opportunity to acquire the theoretical background andconceptual framework with the technical research skills necessary to attain a PhD. During the first year of study, a broad educational base inall disciplines together with laboratory rotations introduce students to the diverse array of research topics. Students then choose one area ofconcentration for their research. The varied interests of the faculty provide numerous opportunities for student participation and a broad choice indissertation research.Active research in immunology includes the areas of cytotoxicity, programmed cell death, cytokine receptor signaling, clinical and experimental bonemarrow transplantation, stem cell biology, gene therapy for cancer treatment, antigen recognition, cell differentiation and communication, aging ofthe immune system, interleukins, genetic control of immunoglobulin production, gene activation, and evolution of the immune response. Research inother areas includes molecular biology of virus-host interaction in both animal and human systems, control and regulation of bacterial pathogenesis,selective tumor chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and therapy of parasitic infections.GoalsThe goals of the MIC Graduate Program include training and acquisition of: A broad scientific reasoning ability and knowledge base in Microbiology and Immunology Technical skills required for experiments in the area of specialization Presentation skills required for teaching, scientific talks, manuscripts, and grants A preparation for a scientific career in academia, industry, or teaching within 5 ½ yearsContact InformationEnrique Mesri, PhD (EMesri@med.miami.edu), Graduate Program DirectorTheresa Votolato, MS (tlv16@med.miami.edu), Senior Program CoordinatorOffice of Graduate and Postdoctoral StudiesRosenstiel Medical Sciences Building, Suite 1128-A1600 NW 10th Avenue, M857Miami, FL 33136305 243 2478Admission RequirementsApplicants to biomedical programs should have a bachelor degree in a biological or related discipline (e.g., psychology, chemistry, engineering,physics). Although there are no prerequisite requirements, courses in general biology, cell/molecular biology, calculus, general physics, organicchemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry are encouraged. Applications are generally accepted from September to December for fall entry only.Select applicants will be offered an interview.Competitive Candidates will have the following: Excellent academic record Competitive GRE exam scores Research experience in a laboratory setting Publications of abstract and / or papers Co-authorship in a peer-reviewed journal is recommended Strong letters of recommendation from research scientists who know the candidate well Motivation to pursue state-of-the-art biomedical researchApplicants must submit the following: Online Application Application Fee Official Academic Transcripts1

2Microbiology and Immunology GRE General Test English Proficiency Exam (non-native speakers) Statement of Purpose Resume / CVFull application instructions can be found here (http://biomed.med.miami.edu/apply/).Doctoral Programs Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology and-immunology-phd/)MIC 202. Your Health and Immune System/ Microbiome. 3 Credit Hours.Recent advances in the prevention and treatment of diseases that we and loved ones' experience. Many of these advances in prevention, diagnosis,and treatment strategies are our based on immunological principles. The course will examine how advances in our understanding of the immunesystem are having unprecedented effects on both health care and society. The immune system must shield us from bacterial, fungal, and viral invasionwhile harmoniously co-existing with beneficial microbes in our Microbiotas. The immune system is also a surveillance system that recognizes andkills the emerging enemies within: cancer cells. The course will discuss recent advances in immunology, genetic manipulation, and the Microbiota;their consequences on emerging notions of personalized health and medications; the creation of tailored biological therapies against cancer andother maladies; and what all this means for the cost healthcare, the difficult choices, and the politics of medicine. We will critically examine popular ofrepresentations of these medical advances, being careful to distinguish fact from fiction and accurate representation from exaggerated claims.Requisite: Not for Microbiology and Immunology Majors or Minors.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Spring.MIC 601. Medical Microbiology. 5 Credit Hours.Course discusses the nature of microbial agents of infectious disease as well as relationship of virulence to host resistance and fundamentalimmunologic concepts. Microbial physiology and genetics, the structure, design, and mechanism of action on antimicrobials.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.MIC 623. Mechanisms of Microbial Virulence. 2 Credit Hours.This course will focus on the mechanisms employed by bacterial and viral pathogens to produce disease in animals and humans. The course isdivided into two 3 week modules. The first module (1 credit) will cover bacterial pathogens with an emphasis on the bacteria-host cell interaction.Specific topics will include: bacterial attachment and invasion of eukaryotic cells, virulence gene regulation, secretion of virulence factors, bacterialtoxins and obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens. The second module (1 credit) will cover viruses and human viral diseases with an emphasis onviral replication, gene expression, virus-host cell interactions and viral oncology. Classes will consist of a mixture of lectures and discussions of recentor classic papers. There will be one exam per module.Prerequisites: MIC 775 and MIC 755.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Spring.MIC 705. Faculty Research and Discussions. 1 Credit Hour.Forum for the discussion of the current research projects and interests of the faculty. This course provides students with the opportunity to exchangeideas about important scientific questions and the technologies being applied to experimentally address the hypotheses being tested.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Fall.MIC 711. Accelerated Basic Science Medical Curriculum. 1-18 Credit Hours.Beginning in the latter part of June each year, extending to the middle of February of the ensuing year, the following accelerated and intensivecomplete basic science medical curriculum is offered: Embryology, Gross Anatomy, Histology, Biochemistry, Neuroanatomy, Biophysics andNeurophysiology, Systemic Physiology, Pathology, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology. single grade will be entered on the graduate transcript forthis course.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Fall & Spring.

Microbiology and Immunology3MIC 716. Advanced Molecular Biology. 3 Credit Hours.The molecular basis of cellular function and regulation in both procaryotic and eucaryotic systems. The molecular genetics and biochemistry ofthe genetic material and its utilization during replication, transcription, translation, cellular growth, division, and differentiation. Recombinant DNAtechnology and molecular genetics are discussed. This course is designed for graduate students in biological sciences. A good background in biologyor biochemistry is recommended.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Fall.MIC 726. Laboratory Experimentation. 4 Credit Hours.One or two laboratory training sessions of 6-12 weeks each. Each student rotates through faculty research laboratories in the areas of immunology,molecular biology, and microbiology, (bacteriology, virology, parasitology) where they receive "hands on" experience by participating in ongoingresearch projects.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Fall.MIC 727. Laboratory Experimentation. 6 Credit Hours.Two or three laboratory training sessions of 6-12 weeks each. Each student rotates through faculty research laboratories in the areas of immunology,molecular biology and microbiology, (bacteriology, virology, parasitology) where they receive "hands on" experience by participating in ongoingresearch projects.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Spring.MIC 728. Principles of Immunology. 3 Credit Hours.This team-taught course will present core concepts in immunology and scientific reasoning in immunological research. The course is offered withseven weekly modules. Each module has a common theme and consists of three lectures on fundamental immunological concepts and one sessionwhere students present and discuss a research paper related to the theme of each module. The paper discussion session will include the use ofdisease models as a portal to understand the function of immune system in health and disease. The module topics are: (1) Molecular basis of immunerecognition, (2) Innate immunity, (3) Lymphoid cell development, (4) Initiation of immune responses, (5) T cell differentiation and interaction with otherimmune cells, (6) B cell immunity and tolerance, and (7) T cell tolerance. There will be one exam following the first four modules and the second examafter the remaining three modules. One credit can be awarded for completion of any three modules and their related exam questions. On credit canalso be awarded for completion of any two modules, their related exam questions, and a self study of a current research article on immunology orimmune-based therapy using a self-designed question list in a format similar to that used in the paper discussion sessions.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Spring.MIC 731. Special Work. 1-5 Credit Hours.With the guidance of a faculty advisor, students will choose a focused topic in the area of immune therapy, survey the research findings from theliterature and write a review article. Students may then design a translation or clinical study that can be integrated as an Aim or a sub-Aim into theirthesis proposal.Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Offered by Announcement Only.MIC 751. Advance Topics in Microbiology and Virology. 1-3 Credit Hours.This advanced level course is intended to explore complex interactions of microbial pathogens and hosts at the systemic, cellular, subcellular andmolecular levels. This course consists of three modules focusing on the following topics: (1) Ubiquitin molecules at the host/pathogen interface andinflammasomes (1 credit); (2) Microbes, emergency hematopoiesis and autoimmunity (1 credit); and (3) The role of microbes in cancer initiation,progression and therapy (1 credit).Components: LEC.Grading: GRD.Typically Offered: Spring.MIC 755. Microbiology and Immunology Research- Career Skills and Proficiencies. 1-6 Credit Hours.This is a longitudinal training course delivered throughout all years of training. Students start taking it upon joining the Microbiology and ImmunologyProgram to perform research under the mentorship of participating faculty. Up to six credits may be awarded commensurate with attendance andparticipation in the four modules. The four modules include: Teaching assistance (TA) experience (3 credits); Attendance and participation in theweekly departmental seminars and completing written assignments on the seminars topics (1 credit); Attendance, participation and presentation inJournal Clubs (1 credit); Research Forums on Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and career skills (1 credit).Components: LEC.Grading: SUS.Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, & Summer.